The Hindu: Published on 16th June 2025:
Why in News?
On June 4, 2025, The Hindu reported that a committee chaired by India’s Principal Scientific Advisor Ajay Sood recommended rolling back the 2015 mandate requiring all coal-fired thermal power plants (TPPs) to install Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) units. This has sparked a policy debate regarding the balance between environmental health, financial feasibility, and power affordability.
Background:
In 2015, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) mandated all 537 coal-fired TPPs in India to install FGD units to curb sulphur dioxide (SO₂) emissions.
The original deadline was 2018, later extended to 2027–2029 due to poor compliance.
As of April 2025, only 39 plants had operational FGDs.
What is FGD (Flue Gas Desulphurisation)?
FGD units are pollution control devices installed in coal-fired plants to remove SO₂ from flue gas (exhaust gas from combustion).
Types of FGD systems:
Dry Sorbent Injection (DSI): Limestone powder reacts with SO₂.
Wet Limestone Scrubbing: Limestone slurry converts SO₂ to gypsum.
Seawater FGD: Used in coastal plants to absorb and neutralize SO₂ using seawater.
Why is SO₂ a Problem?
Contributes to PM2.5 pollution, respiratory diseases, and acid rain.
80% of coal-based PM2.5 emissions arise from SO₂, per modeling studies.
Major contributor to climate change and public health issues.
Current Policy Status:
Only 7% (39 out of 537) TPPs have FGDs.
Government has delayed compliance multiple times.
Recent committee recommendation proposes rolling back the FGD mandate, citing costs.
Cost Concerns:
Cost of FGD installation: approx. ₹1.2 crore/MW.
For India’s current and planned capacity, this implies ₹97,000 crore additional investment.
Could increase electricity tariffs by up to ₹0.72/kWh, mainly due to fixed costs.
Government is concerned about consumer burden, inflation, and energy transition affordability.
Key Issues:
Economic vs Environmental Trade-off: Cost vs Clean Air.
Delay in implementation undermines India’s air quality goals.
Policy inconsistency may send wrong signals to energy investors.
Urban-rural disparity: Proximity to TPPs affects impact visibility.
Expert Opinions:
Environmentalists: FGDs are essential for clean air and health.
Policy advisors: Emphasize affordability and infrastructure constraints.
No proven alternative to FGDs for SO₂ removal, per current scientific consensus.
Alternatives?
None currently exist that can match the SO₂ removal efficiency of FGD technology.
Conclusion:
India faces a difficult policy choice: clean air and health protection vs power affordability and energy security. While cost concerns are real, experts warn that failing to implement FGDs could compromise long-term health, environment, and international commitments on climate change.
